My doctor purchases fillers from Mareli Medical so he can charge less, but are they legitimate?

Thank you for your question. Juvederm Voluma XC is the first facial filler to be approved by the FDA for the non-surgical treatment of the cheeks. If you hear of an offer that is too good to be true, it probably is. Always consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon that has an experienced injector team with patient testimonials and patient before/after photos.
Best wishes,

Thank you for sharing your question.  Though they may use the original product created by Allergan it is not legal to use fillers obtained internationally.  Unless your injector can prove to you the location and product material is valid I would not advocate receiving treatment.  Hope this helps.

Personally, I wouldn't trust any filler that doesn't come from the manufacturer. Nor would I put my faith in a doctor who buys his filler from anywhere else. This is your face. It's not worth the risk to save a few bucks. 

Thank you for your question mghazi11. Voluma is a filler used to enhance the appearance of the face. Voluma is manufactured by Allergan. We only use products directly from the manufacturer. There have been many stories of problems with fillers that are obtained from third parties. Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations.  Good luck!

I would warn you to not proceed with a surgeon who gets his filler from anyone other than the manufacturer. There is simply too high a risk of putting something substandard or even dangerous into your body. Not worth the price savings in the long run, I promise. 

Especially in NYC where there is a lot of competition, some are willing to do anything to get an edge - such as offering much lower prices than anyone else to attract attention. The only reputable companies to purchase the fillers from are the manufacturers directly. I would advise you to proceed with extreme caution when it comes from another source. How can they guarantee that these products are legitimate? The last thing you want to do is jeopardize your health and safety for a bargain.

Hi mghazi11! I would definitely recommend not getting your filler done by this provider who gets products from Mareli Medical. Any reputable physician's office gets their fillers directly from the companies who sell them (Juvederm products from Allergen, Restylane products from Galderma, etc). I would be very skeptical of an office who is purchasing filler from another source. You may save a couple of hundred dollars now, but in the long run you may have unforeseen complications if the filler used in your face is not authentic filler from the manufacturer and these complications may be irreversible. Best, Dr. Scott

You should research whether the source of the product is an authorized distributor for Allergan's products in the USA, so that the FDA guidelines are followed.

Thank you for your question.  There are a number of international online retailers selling fillers and Botox online.  These products are dubiously sourced - there have been many reports of counterfeit and contaminated products being marketed online as authentic injectables online.  Moreover, it is actually illegal for your injector to be purchasing Voluma in the US from anyone but Allergan - the company can (and routinely does) pursue legal action against businesses that illegally source products.
No reputable dermatologist or plastic surgeon would ever risk their patient's safety with such products.  I would definitely stay away!